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United States Patent | 5,160,176 |
Gale | November 3, 1992 |
In accordance with this invention, an adjustable coupling device for releasably interconnecting confronting ends of first and second fluid carrying conduits is provided. A bell flange is attached to the confronting end of one of the conduits. This bell flange has an arcuate internal sealing surface adjacent the lip thereof and a recess extending inwardly longitudinally from the arcuate sealing surface. A sealing flange is attached to the confronting end of the other of the conduits and is sized to be received within the bell flange. It also includes a peripheral abutment spaced from the outer end thereof. A sleeve is mounted on the end of the sealing flange and has a curved outer surface and an inner surface engageable with the abutment to limit the inward movement thereof. A sealing ring is mounted on the sealing flange adjacent the sleeve and is engageable with the arcuate sealing surface of the bell flange when the flanges are drawn together. A nut is provided on the sealing flange and is slidably connectable to the bell flange. The nut has a curved inner surface engageable with the curved outer surface of the sleeve to allow an angular adjustment of the axes of the conduits at the coupling device. The sleeve is longitudinally adjustable along the sealing flange from the outer end thereof to the abutment. The sealing ring maintains a positive seal regardless of the angular or longitudinal adjustment of the coupling.
Inventors: | Gale; Edwin J. (Aurora, CO) |
Assignee: | Stanley Aviation Corporation (Aurora, CO) |
Appl. No.: | 793578 |
Filed: | November 18, 1991 |
Current U.S. Class: | 285/145.3; 285/261; 285/330; 285/340; 285/917 |
Intern'l Class: | F16L 015/02 |
Field of Search: | 285/261,271,917,340,165,330 |
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